Will Granlund make the Flames this year?

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by shutout

"Like each and every prospect, Granlund hopes to be pulling on a Calgary Flames jersey a month from now. But if that doesn’t happen, he says he’ll go down to Abbotsford and continue to work.

“If that's the case, you can’t just keep thinking about oh no, now I’m in Abbotsford, I have no chance to get back up. There’s always possibilities if you do your best.” Granlund said."

http://flamesfrom80feet.blogspot.ca/

Sounds like he will go to Abbotsford and get used to the NA ice size. I see him as a mid to late season call up especially after we trade some of the pending UFA's in Feb.

This, going back to Europe is a defeatist attitude in my eyes. You've proven you can play over there, now prove you can play here. There are a lot of kids hungry to make this roster, you want to be in the AHL to get called up when needed/ready to make yourself known. Not across the pond spinning tires in the mud.

Glad he is staying, I would be worried about his development and future with the Flames if he didn't.

[djsFlames]

He doesn't seem to have much of a problem handling the NA ice, no more than the prospects who grew up and played here, judging by how he's looked so far. Can't wait to watch him notch another couple tonight (hopefully).

[Itse]

I've never really thought much of him as a prospect, and I still don't. However, he seems to be showing the right things at the right time, which says good things about his competitiveness and desire to make it here. So who knows.

I can certainly see him getting his cup of coffee. Those two years of playing against men give him a good headstart on our generally raw rookie group. Propable injury call-up.

[sun]

Nah.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Who is Will Granlund?

When these boys play with the men we will find out what mustard they have.

[Parallex]

Nope. No spot for him. If he impresses in Abbotsford I can see him being an injury call-up/post-deadline replacement . But I would wager heavily against him breaking camp in the NHL.

[alan21]

I think he will see NHL ice but I wouldn't expect it to be a hugely successful experience.

[polak]

You don't hand out roster spots based on hype. If he performs better in camp than some of our more highly regarded prospects or players, he should get the spot.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think he will be one of the last prospects sent down to the Heat. Plays all preseason, and plays a couple of games into the year.

I do, however, think he will end up playing around 20 games or so in the NHL this upcoming season as an injury call-up and when the Flames inevitably trade a few vets at the deadline. He has an NHL shot, and he has great offensive awareness. Ward will help his defensive game. Lets not forget that although the FEL is not the NHL of course, he has at least been playing against men and has acquitted himself fairly well. Still needs to pack on some weight - but I think physically he isn't that far away by the looks of things.

It is nice to see yet another prospect that many on this board weren't very high on suddenly make such a case for himself, that a thread pops up speculating on if he does make the Flames. That is great in itself!

[Pontine]

I'm sure he'll bounce around the NHL and AHL unless he's one of the best players in camp.

[Dion]

I would like to see him spend the season in Abby where he should get lots of ice time and good coaching. Bring him up for a cup of coffee when there are injuries and give him a taste of the game at the NHL level.

[Vulcan]

He's got chance. There are one or two spots at centre open after Backlund and Stajan. Competition from Knight, Monahan, Horak, Bouma, Reinhart, Jooris, Street and Byron.

[moon]

Its good to see him do well in these tournaments but I think there are too many guys in front of him to expect that he would make the team out of camp.

Depending on how committed they are to moving guys out during the season and his willingness to go down to Abbotsford I think he certainly could see a few games as a call-up near the end of the season.

[dammage79]

He cetainly appears a step ahead of most of the other prospects. I hope he blows everyones doors off and earns a spot. That being said. We will see how he fares against the vets in main camp. That's the barometer for him. I will contend though the Flames can use that shot as there are very few great shots on the forward ranks. That may give him an edge.

[robbie111]

Yeah it would be great if he makes it and frankly he's looked head and shoulders above everyone out there including Sean and Sven. Conroy was saying today on the fan960 that Granlund is probably the best shootout player in the flames organization including those on the big club and again he mentioned his excellent positioning and shot.

[JJsChaos]

If the flames start the season with an injury or two you might see him get a few games at the start of the season. I hope this is the case. It would be great for his development.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Based purely on the Young Stars tourney to date, I'd take him over Knight.

[SeanCharles]

Feaster has mentioned him on a few occasions as a player he will keep a close eye on cause he is close.

I've liked everything I've seen out of him so far, if he continues his play into camp and preseason and even a few NHL games I could see him making the team...

[Hatter]

I only find it interesting now, but my uncle lives in Finland and said that he preferred Markus's game to Mikael's before the former was drafted. His words, but he thought Markus had a more "direct and simple" style. I'm not saying he's psychic... but he's psychic.

Random anecdotes aside, Granlund looks ready for north american ice. I'd give him a year before he's in the NHL.

[Freeway]

They're very high on him.